Many people are wondering what’s up today with the metaverse and with virtual reality in general. However, just as many people confuse the two, often thinking that it’s one and the same thing. Well, they do share many similarities, but they’re not the same concept.
You see, we believe that if you want to truly understand what these two are about, it would be wiser to talk about the difference between them. That’s why we’re here today. Let’s explore and see what’s up with the metaverse and virtual reality.
1. To Use Or Not To Use Headsets?
The main differentiator between VR and the metaverse is the hardware that you need to experience these two beasts of technology. Obviously, you won’t be able to experience virtual reality without a headset, but the metaverse doesn’t require one.
PandaMR allows you to access the virtual world without requiring a VR headset. Sure, the experience is ideal with such a headset, but it’s not obligatory. You can still use a relatively cheap computer or laptop with such an app and still enjoy a great experience.
2. Shared Virtual Worlds Vs. a Single Experience
So, virtual reality can only be experienced with a headset. But the metaverse can also be experienced with a headset, optionally. What differentiates them further from here?
Well, the experience itself, to be more precise. Any game that comes with VR capabilities can be touted as a virtual reality experience, but not every game is part of the metaverse. Take for example single-player games like Resident Evil 7 or Half-Life Alyx. Those do offer a fantastic experience but you can’t create, play, or share stuff with others.
Meanwhile, the metaverse allows you to interact with just about anyone, purchase items, property, NFTs, and so forth. This, in turn, takes us to our next point:
3. Potential Applications In the Future
While the technology is impressive as it is already, there’s no denying the fact that there’s always room for improvement. However, classic VR experiences will most likely be very limited in what they will bring to the table in the future, whereas the metaverse is just beginning to shine.
In the future, people might live a true-to-life second life within the metaverse. They’ll be so enamoured with the experience that they might actually start to live more in the metaverse than they do in the real world. This is both brilliant and scary at the same time. However, one thing you can’t deny is the impressiveness of it all. It’s truly a technological wonder.
Experts believe that it can shift the way people work, browse the internet and use social media. Also, there is a considerable number of people who still don’t use virtual reality, but in the case of Metaverse, it seems very unlikely.
4. Technical Limitations Within the Applied Worlds
It is clear as day that Metaverse has a lot of potential, far beyond virtual reality headsets on their own.
It is also compatible with every AR device or any type of device that connects to the internet, hence the Metaverse comes with a variety of features that virtual reality cannot support alone.
For example, it can use AR technology for its implementation in the real world.
Moreover, design of the virtual spaces will be accessible at any place without any requirement of the headset. This is the brilliance of the metaverse – it truly brings a second extension to our everyday lives in more ways than one.
The Bottom Line
The metaverse is clearly far more advanced than a single standalone virtual reality experience. A VR headset on its own isn’t all that impressive, but the metaverse truly is so. Henceforth, we’re looking forward to what the metaverse will become in the future.
What are your thoughts on this? Make sure to leave us a comment down below with what you think about these two outstanding technologies.